We had great pleasure in presenting The 2004 Rarities Sale, featuring fine and rare philatelic items, sets and postal history of the world, continuing the annual “Rarities Sale” concept re-introduced to the Australian auction calendar by us in 2002.

The 400+ lots of exceptional quality featured a superb range of Australian Colonies, including several rare banknotes. The philatelic highlights included, in Queensland, the 6d Registered with Rowland Hill "CANCELLED" handstamp and the 1902 6d with "Figures in lower corners only"; in Tasmania, the 4d Courier in a block of six and later Bradbury Wilkinson and De La Rue essays; and in Victoria, a beautiful range of proofs and rare multiples of the "Beaded Ovals" and a rare £2 KEVII Die Proof.

Australian Commonwealth was well represented, with a marvellous selection of Kangaroos including First Wmk £1 with "JBC" monogram and several imprint blocks to £2 in superb condition; King George V issues featured 1d shades, including the rare Orange-Brown Red, inverted watermarks and better imprints; later issues included unique "Display Specimens", complete sheets of the 10/- and £1 Robes, the £2 Arms with 3mm "SPECIMEN" overprint, choice missing colours and a select group of rare booklets; remarkable monogram blocks of the 10/- and £1 Postage Dues, unique in private hands; and the famous Ross Smith vignette, mint and on cover, both in exquisite condition.

Australian Territories featured essays, proofs and colour separations and highlighted areas in Rest of the World included Germany Occupation and Propaganda issues, New Guinea and New Zealand.